Michael Santiago, of Holyoke, charged with attempted murder after man shot in head, fails to get bail amount reduced

SPRINGFIELD - In March Holyoke police asked for the public's help in locating Michael Santiago, calling him a "violent suspect" in the shooting of a 16-year-old male who suffered a head wound during an alleged home invasion.

Santiago was subsequently arrested and his lawyer was before a Hampden Superior Court judge Tuesday asking for a reduction in his bail amount - currently set at $50,000 cash or $500,00 surety.

Judge Mary Lou Rup decided the bail amount was proper given his record and the nature of the crime.

Defense lawyer Erin Boylan had argued the bail should be set at $5,000, saying her client's family could raise that amount.

She said only one witness identified Santiago, 23, as a participant in the home invasion and said that witness has "an ongoing animus against my client" and other credibility problems.

After the March 23 shooting the victim was taken to Baystate Medical Center in Springfield for treatment of the gunshot wound to the temple.

The shooting was reported about 2:12 a.m. at 569 South Canal St.

Santiago faces charges of home invasion, armed assault with intent to murder, armed assault in a dwelling, assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, and two illegal firearms charges.

Assistant District Attorney Eduard Velazquez told Rup three to four armed men kicked in the door of a woman who believed the street gang La Familia was responsible for the death of a loved one.

He said Santiago is believed to be a member of that street gang. The woman saw Santiago with a large gun but couldn't see the other men, Velazquez said.

Santiago is accused of firing three shots into her bedroom where she had a young child, he said. Her cousin got the shot to the upper temple while in the apartment.